Above: Artist, Diane LaRose
Artist, Nadine Charlsen
In the April issue of The Laurel, the name of the artist of this painting was incorrectly identified. The painting—titled “The Soda Fountain”—was done by Nadine Charlsen. We apologize for the error.
Two exhibitions are running concurrently (April 8 through May 14) at the Asheville Area Arts Council Gallery, 1 Page Avenue in the Grove Arcade. There will be an opening reception—featuring swing music provided by Mike Huffman—for these shows from 5–8 p.m. on Friday, April 15.
One of these shows features works by seven artists and is part of the Council’s “Point of View: Artists Curate Artists” program begun in 2013. This current show’s theme is “The Artful Life,” and features works by Diane LaRose, Bob Martin, Jean Wall Penland, Bernie Segal, and Monika Teal, plus pieces by cocurators Nadine Charlsen and Fleta Monaghan.
The show is being produced by The Geezer Gallery, a program of the Council on Aging of Buncombe County. The Geezer Gallery provides a free ten-week creative arts program for low-income older adults, along with opportunities for senior artists to exhibit and sell their works.
“We live in an amazing arts community,” says Dr. Turner Goins, program director of The Geezer Gallery. “Our program takes advantage of this, honors lifelong artists, and brings creative arts to more older adults.” She adds, “We could not be more pleased about this partnership with the Asheville Area Arts Council and to have these exceptional artists participating.”
“It has been an exhilarating and moving experience to work with each artist,” says Fleta. “Viewing the work in their studios has been like walking into a fine arts museum filled with precious treasures.” She continues, “The artists have been energized by the recognition this show bestows, and being exhibited together is a historic event.”
Concurrent with this show is an exhibit of works by Jane Allen Nodine, professor of art and gallery director at the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg. She says the experience of growing up watching her father drafting architectural plans “became embedded in my psyche.”
“I work intuitively and describe my approach to art-making as a process of ‘excavation.’ There is no map or definitive end and no preconceived plan of travel—only a sense that something waits to be revealed.”
For more information on these exhibits and other events, visit ashevillearts.com.
